'''Framingham''' [http://www.framinghamma.gov/] is the largest town in [[Massachusetts]], with a population of more than 67,000. Originally a blue-collar manufacturing town, Framingham is now known for its high density of white-collar technology and business professionals, as well as diverse ethnic populations, due to its proximity to [[Boston]] (only 25 miles away) and the ''tech corridor'', Route 128.

+

'''Framingham''' [http://www.framinghamma.gov/] is a large town in [[Massachusetts]], with a population of more than 67,000. Originally a blue-collar manufacturing town, Framingham is now known for its high density of white-collar technology and business professionals, as well as diverse ethnic populations, due to its proximity to [[Boston]] (only 17 miles away) and the ''tech corridor'', Route 128.

*'''Danforth Museum of Art''', 123 Union Avenue, Phone: ''+1'' 508-620-0050, [http://danforthmuseum.org/]. Art dating from the 18th century to present day. Admission fee for adults is $10, and seniors and children is $8.

*'''Framingham Town Common''', Edgell and Vernon Streets (''Park on Oak street.'') The Town Common is the home to several historic buildings including The Old Village Hall, Edgell Library, the Framingham Historical Society [http://www.framinghamhistory.org] as well and the Unitarian (First Parish)[http://uuframingham.org] and Plymouth Churches. There are also various monuments and plaques throughout the Common.

*'''Framingham Town Common''', Edgell and Vernon Streets (''Park on Oak street.'') The Town Common is the home to several historic buildings including The Old Village Hall, Edgell Library, the Framingham Historical Society [http://www.framinghamhistory.org] as well and the Unitarian (First Parish)[http://uuframingham.org] and Plymouth Churches. There are also various monuments and plaques throughout the Common.

+

*'''Framingham Town Hall''', 150 Concord St. Intersection of Union Avenue and Concord St. Phone: ''+1'' 508-532-5520, [http://www.framingham.com/townhall/index.htm]. Go in to the Framingham Town Hall just to see Framingham's history, or to get a schedule of events in Framingham coming up.

+

*'''Village Hall''', 2 Oak St, Phone: ''+1'' 508-879-8995. Great historic venue in the Greater Boston area. Built in 1834, it is on the list of National Register of Historic Places.

Saxonville is a village in Framingham. The main road is Concord Street (Route 126) and branches out on to Central Street and Elm Street. The Sudbury River surrounds the village on 3 sides. Saxonville has some wonderful historic landmarks and architecture to see.

Saxonville is a village in Framingham. The main road is Concord Street (Route 126) and branches out on to Central Street and Elm Street. The Sudbury River surrounds the village on 3 sides. Saxonville has some wonderful historic landmarks and architecture to see.

Line 59:

Line 60:

==Do==

==Do==

+

+

*'''Callahan State Park''', Millwood St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-653-9641, [http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/call.htm] 820 acres of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing in northwest Framingham. Horse back riding, fishing or even a picnic are just a few other options as well. Callahan is also dog friendly. On a hot summer day you will find dozens of dogs frolicking in and around Eagle Pond, near the South entrance on Millwood Street. There is no admission fees.

+

*'''Cushing Park''', Dudley Road. Located near Farm Pond, it serves as a walking, running, biking, rollerblading and picnic area. It is dog friendly and no admission fees.

*'''Garden in the Woods''', 180 Hemenway Rd, Phone: ''+1'' 508-877-7630, [http://www.newfs.org/garden.htm]. A 45 acre retreat containing a stunning selection of local flora and fauna. There are over 1600 species and a variety of plants and wildflowers.

*'''Nobscot Mountain''' in North Framingham. Nobscot Mountain and Nobscot Reservation provide over 1,000 acres of hiking, camping, and sightseeing, managed by the Knox Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

*'''Nobscot Mountain''' in North Framingham. Nobscot Mountain and Nobscot Reservation provide over 1,000 acres of hiking, camping, and sightseeing, managed by the Knox Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

−

*'''Garden in the Woods''', 180 Hemenway Rd, Phone: ''+1'' 508-877-7630, [http://www.newfs.org/garden.htm]. A stunning selection of local flora and fauna.

−

*'''Callahan State Park''', Millwood St., Phone: ''+1'' 508-653-9641, [http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/call.htm] 820 acres of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing in northwest Framingham. Callahan is also dog friendly. On a hot summer day you will find dozens of dogs frolicking in and around Eagle Pond, near the South entrance on Millwood Street.

*'''Learned Beach on Learned Pond''', Shawmut Terrace off of Prindville Avenue. Staffed from mid June to late August. Learned is a small beach located on a scenic pond.

*'''Learned Beach on Learned Pond''', Shawmut Terrace off of Prindville Avenue. Staffed from mid June to late August. Learned is a small beach located on a scenic pond.

−

*'''Saxonville Beach''', Lake Road off of Old Connecticut Path. Staffed from mid June to late August. Saxonville beach is located in the historic Framingham village of Saxonville on the Upper Pond of Lake Cochituate State Park.

+

*'''Saxonville Beach''', Lake Road off of Old Connecticut Path. Staffed from mid June to late August. Saxonville beach is in the historic Framingham village of Saxonville on the Upper Pond of Lake Cochituate State Park.

*''' Waushakum Beach on Waushakum Pond''', Nipmuc Road off of Route 126. Staffed from mid June to late August. Huge pond with view of the General Motors plant.

*''' Waushakum Beach on Waushakum Pond''', Nipmuc Road off of Route 126. Staffed from mid June to late August. Huge pond with view of the General Motors plant.

Line 75:

Line 79:

If you enjoy '''shopping''', Framingham is definitely the place in eastern Massachusetts to visit. There is every major retail chain from Wal-Mart to Best Buy and more. The shopping district, nicknamed "The Golden Triangle", is located along Route 9 (Worcester Rd) in the eastern part of town and extends into neighboring [[Natick]]. The shopping district includes '''Shoppers World''' (on the border with Natick), a vast outdoor mall featuring 795,308 square feet of retail space.

If you enjoy '''shopping''', Framingham is definitely the place in eastern Massachusetts to visit. There is every major retail chain from Wal-Mart to Best Buy and more. The shopping district, nicknamed "The Golden Triangle", is located along Route 9 (Worcester Rd) in the eastern part of town and extends into neighboring [[Natick]]. The shopping district includes '''Shoppers World''' (on the border with Natick), a vast outdoor mall featuring 795,308 square feet of retail space.

−

Absolutely do not miss '''Jordan's Furniture Store'''. It may sound strange that a furniture store is considered an attraction, except that this particular furniture store has a Mardi Gras celebration nearly every hour, intensely themed rooms, an IMAX theatre (strange as that may seem), virtual reality arcades, and more. Even the roast beef stand is worth seeing just for the giant aquarium in it.

+

Absolutely do not miss '''Jordan's Furniture Store'''. It may sound strange that a furniture store is considered an attraction, except that this particular furniture store has a Mardi Gras celebration nearly every hour, intensely themed rooms, an IMAX theatre, virtual reality arcades, and more. Located adjacent to the IMAX is Kelly's Roast Beef. It has a large menu which is popular for it's roast beef and also has a giant aquarium located in the middle of the restaurant.

*'''Aztec Restaurant''', 2 Waverly St. (''Route 135 at the Natick border''), Phone: ''+1'' 508-820-2523, A small family owned restaurant serving great Mexican dishes. The menu is limited, but the food is more authentic than at the large Tex-Mex chains.

*'''Firefly's Bodacious Bar-B-Que''', 235 Old Connecticut Path ''behind the Target on Route 30'', Phone: ''+1'' 508-820-3333 , [http://www.fireflysbbq.com/]. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 10:30AM-9PM. Great traditional BBQ and many other innovative recipes developed by chef\owner Steve Uliss as well as several Southern dishes. Call ahead on weekends to get your name on the waiting list so you don't have to wait an hour to be seated.

*'''Firefly's Bodacious Bar-B-Que''', 235 Old Connecticut Path ''behind the Target on Route 30'', Phone: ''+1'' 508-820-3333 , [http://www.fireflysbbq.com/]. Great traditional BBQ and many other innovative recipes developed by chef\owner Steve Uliss as well as several Southern dishes. Firefly's also boasts one of the best children's menu's of any true BBQ joint. Call ahead on weekends to get your name on the waiting list so you don't have to wait an hour to be seated.

+

*'''Samba''', 1138 Worcester Rd. (''Rt. 9''), Phone: ''+1'' 508-628-0288 , [http://www.sambaframingham.com/]. Steak and Sushi are just a few selections on the menu. It is also a Hibachi style restaurant.

−

*'''Aztec Restaurant''', 2 Waverly St. (''Route 135 at the Natick border''), Phone: ''+1'' 508-820-2523, A small family owned restaurant serving great Mexican dishes. The menu is limited, but the food is more authentic than at the large Tex-Mex chains.

Revision as of 20:06, 21 August 2012

Framingham[1] is a large town in Massachusetts, with a population of more than 67,000. Originally a blue-collar manufacturing town, Framingham is now known for its high density of white-collar technology and business professionals, as well as diverse ethnic populations, due to its proximity to Boston (only 17 miles away) and the tech corridor, Route 128.

Contents

Understand

Framingham is the home of several major corporations, including Staples, TJX, Perini, Boston Scientific, and Bose Audio, and also is part of what is known as the Golden Mile, a large conglomeration of shopping malls and retail outlets. This is where the first mall in America was built.

Typically several taxis are waiting for arrivals from the airport at the Logan Express station.*

See

Danforth Museum of Art, 123 Union Avenue, Phone: +1 508-620-0050, [6]. Art dating from the 18th century to present day. Admission fee for adults is $10, and seniors and children is $8.

Framingham Town Common, Edgell and Vernon Streets (Park on Oak street.) The Town Common is the home to several historic buildings including The Old Village Hall, Edgell Library, the Framingham Historical Society [7] as well and the Unitarian (First Parish)[8] and Plymouth Churches. There are also various monuments and plaques throughout the Common.

Framingham Town Hall, 150 Concord St. Intersection of Union Avenue and Concord St. Phone: +1 508-532-5520, [9]. Go in to the Framingham Town Hall just to see Framingham's history, or to get a schedule of events in Framingham coming up.

Village Hall, 2 Oak St, Phone: +1 508-879-8995. Great historic venue in the Greater Boston area. Built in 1834, it is on the list of National Register of Historic Places.

Saxonville is a village in Framingham. The main road is Concord Street (Route 126) and branches out on to Central Street and Elm Street. The Sudbury River surrounds the village on 3 sides. Saxonville has some wonderful historic landmarks and architecture to see.

Athenaeum Hall, Concord Street at Watson Place. Built in 1847, Athenaeum Hall was first the town hall. The building has also server as "a school, a jail, a hospital, a polling place, and a newspaper pressroom."

Old Danforth Street Bridge, Danforth Street. This bridge was completely renovated and refurbished in 2003. The bridge also leads to the Carol J. Getchell Nature Trail.

Carol J. Getchell Nature Trail, Starts at the intersection of Sudbury Landing and Danforth Street next to the bridge. Named for one of the founders of the Friends of Saxonville [11], the trail runs along 1 mile of the Sudbury River.

Saxonville Fire Station, Concord Street to Watson Place next to the Athenaeum Hall. The fire station was built in 1902 and is the oldest active fire station in Framingham.

Saxonville Mills & Josephine Kochnowicz Clock Tower, Concord Street and Central Street. The mill complex runs along Concord Street and turns left onto Central Street by the Sudbury River. Building #7 (on Concord Street) is the only original building to have survived the great fire of 1883. (All the other buildings are circa 1884 or after.) The Clock Tower is on Central street across from the Saxonville Falls Dam.

Saxonville Falls and Dam, Central Street at the intersection of Water Street across from the mill clock tower. The dam was built on the falls to use the Sudbury River to power the mill turbines before the mill switched to steam power. Today it is used for flood control.

Edwards Church & Edwards Cemetery, Off of Elm Street. Edwards Church is one of the oldest churches in Framingham. The cemetery has an interesting array of headstones both "old" traditional headstones and newer headstones that are more pieces of a "artwork".

Do

Callahan State Park, Millwood St., Phone: +1 508-653-9641, [12] 820 acres of hiking, biking and cross-country skiing in northwest Framingham. Horse back riding, fishing or even a picnic are just a few other options as well. Callahan is also dog friendly. On a hot summer day you will find dozens of dogs frolicking in and around Eagle Pond, near the South entrance on Millwood Street. There is no admission fees.

Cushing Park, Dudley Road. Located near Farm Pond, it serves as a walking, running, biking, rollerblading and picnic area. It is dog friendly and no admission fees.

Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Rd, Phone: +1 508-877-7630, [14]. A 45 acre retreat containing a stunning selection of local flora and fauna. There are over 1600 species and a variety of plants and wildflowers.

Nobscot Mountain in North Framingham. Nobscot Mountain and Nobscot Reservation provide over 1,000 acres of hiking, camping, and sightseeing, managed by the Knox Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Beaches

Learned Beach on Learned Pond, Shawmut Terrace off of Prindville Avenue. Staffed from mid June to late August. Learned is a small beach located on a scenic pond.

Saxonville Beach, Lake Road off of Old Connecticut Path. Staffed from mid June to late August. Saxonville beach is in the historic Framingham village of Saxonville on the Upper Pond of Lake Cochituate State Park.

Waushakum Beach on Waushakum Pond, Nipmuc Road off of Route 126. Staffed from mid June to late August. Huge pond with view of the General Motors plant.

Buy

If you enjoy shopping, Framingham is definitely the place in eastern Massachusetts to visit. There is every major retail chain from Wal-Mart to Best Buy and more. The shopping district, nicknamed "The Golden Triangle", is located along Route 9 (Worcester Rd) in the eastern part of town and extends into neighboring Natick. The shopping district includes Shoppers World (on the border with Natick), a vast outdoor mall featuring 795,308 square feet of retail space.

Absolutely do not miss Jordan's Furniture Store. It may sound strange that a furniture store is considered an attraction, except that this particular furniture store has a Mardi Gras celebration nearly every hour, intensely themed rooms, an IMAX theatre, virtual reality arcades, and more. Located adjacent to the IMAX is Kelly's Roast Beef. It has a large menu which is popular for it's roast beef and also has a giant aquarium located in the middle of the restaurant.

Eat

Aztec Restaurant, 2 Waverly St. (Route 135 at the Natick border), Phone: +1 508-820-2523, A small family owned restaurant serving great Mexican dishes. The menu is limited, but the food is more authentic than at the large Tex-Mex chains.

Firefly's Bodacious Bar-B-Que, 235 Old Connecticut Path behind the Target on Route 30, Phone: +1 508-820-3333 , [17]. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 10:30AM-9PM. Great traditional BBQ and many other innovative recipes developed by chef\owner Steve Uliss as well as several Southern dishes. Call ahead on weekends to get your name on the waiting list so you don't have to wait an hour to be seated.

Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!